Fake bomb detector conman jailed for 10 years

Source: Guardian

A fraudster who sold more than £55m worth of fake bomb detectors to Iraq and other security hot spots has been jailed for 10 years.

Jim McCormick, 57, was found guilty of three counts of fraud over the sale of bogus explosive and drug detection devices for as much as £10,000 each when they were based on £15 novelty golf ball finders.

At the Old Bailey in London on Thursday Mr Justice Hone handed down the maximum sentence for a crime he described as "a callous confidence trick". He said the case was the most serious of its kind he has known.

After the verdict, Iraqi exiles called for compensation from at least £7m in assets that are expected to be confiscated from the Somerset-based businessman.

1. Sounds familiar

like Joseph Smith who founded the Mormon Church (business exchange). He was wanted all over the country for conning people by telling them that for a fee, he would look at their property and tell them whether it contained gold.
He chose Utah because it was a territory not under the legal auspices as the States.